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Saturday, September 29, 2012

Halloween Challenge/Decoration..Biking Witch!

Actually, its afternoon for a few more minutes, but I couldn't help pulling out my Dracula voice!

OK, where have I been you say???....I can tell you are interested...right? :) Been working on a challenge/decoration for my house! LOL! Let me give you some background info...

A while back Fiona Jennings of Jennings644/Freestyle-Crafts on YouTube sent me a HUGEEEEE box of treasures. Inside it she sent a metal tricycle with a note attached saying..."Here is a challenge for you...I want to see what you can do with this!"

Well, Fiona and friends here's a VERY QUICK run down of what I did...

The first thing was to chop off the metal basket on back of the bike. Next, I painted the bike all black. I cut a craft pumpkin in half and stuck it down on the "spikes" left by cutting the basket off. I cut a bunch of Tim Holtz Alteration Dies...Clock, gears, bats and skulls. I glued them together and onto the bike. I then took some crepe paper and made a little fussy mussy or two around the clock just to add a bit of color to the larger wheel. I placed a couple of Tim's Cards on the wheel and attached with a Graphic 45 clothespin (remember doing that when we were kids!). I took a dowel and painted it black. Next, I applied hot glue all over the dowel and then went over it with the Viva Gold's Graphite (Thanks Fiona for that too! I love this product!). I cut thin strips of chipboard and bent them in half forming a broom. I sprayed the chipboard broom with Dylusions Pure Sunshine and Melted Chocolate spray inks. I attached them to the dowel with some black waxed string.

Now something you never knew about old Jim The Gentleman Crafter....I used to make stuffed figures. Yes, I'm not using the word doll! Just not! I like figures...sound more Gentlemanly! (No Comments Please!) LOL! I had this witch I made and thought she would be perfect for the bike! More info....I have always loved Joe Spencer's - Gathered Traditions awesome, awesome stuffed figures. BIG BIG FAN! They may not be everyones cup of tea and that's OK! We all have our own tastes and that's what makes the world go 'round right? Anyway, you know me, I wanted to learn how to do it and so I did. Of course mine are not of the quality of the purchased ones, but I love 'em just the same. Later today I will show you my collection of Joe's creations....But know on with the Biking Witch....

I placed, let's call her Broom-Helga shall we, onto the bike and tacked her down in a few places with glue. Last, I added netting to her hat and she is now ready for her midnight ride...

Challenge...DONE!

That's it for now...Onward to create....Hope you are having fun looking...Be back in a bit!

Absolutely amazingly gorgeous!!! You are one clever man! And very talented. The stuffed figure you made is so full of life and character! Love the finished decoration... you'll cherish it for years I'm sure!

YOU CERTAINLY MET THE CHALLENGE I GAVE YOU MY FRIEND, YOU DID AN ABSOLUTE AWESOME JOB HERE. WOULDN'T THINK IT WAS THE SAME BIKE LOL. YOUR WITCH IS FABULOUS JIM AND YOU SHOULD BE VERY VERY PROUD OF YOURSELF!! I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF YOU AND WHAT YOU HAVE CREATED. I JUST LOVE GIVING CHALLENGES OUT LOL LOL LOL BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE :) THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE CHALLENGE ON AND MAKING IT FABULOUS. HUGE CUDDLY HUGS, Fi xx

I love this as they say its all in the detail and your dolly woolly dolly do witch figurine lol is out of this world i just love her shoes with the bell and safety pin laces the rust is fab and i love the tiny bat bell on the bike i could just hug it and love for ever big love marc

You amaze me...again, and again, and again! This is the cutest idea ever. I've been busy, busy...youngest son gets married in 13 days...not a lot of time for blog reading right now....but I was going through withdrawal, and had to check in with you. So glad I did!

OHHHHH!!!!Jim, she is so adorable, I love your stuffed "figure" isnt she just a sweet Doll(think like my daughter is just a doll) not the other kind of dolll....lol...this is my favorite item you have made so far but i reserve the right to change my mind...many times...thanks for sharing her, she is too sweet.

OMG! What an awesome stuffed figure Broom Helga is and the bike...well it has me speechless. Really fantastic piece. #31 for the bike spokes, skull for the back axel cover, tape for the handle bars, and the front wheel 'gears'... I think you met the challenge and then some!

OMG! What an awesome stuffed figure Broom Helga is and the bike...well it has me speechless. Really fantastic piece. #31 for the bike spokes, skull for the back axel cover, tape for the handle bars, and the front wheel 'gears'... I think you met the challenge and then some!

WOW!!! Your biker witch is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! Jim, what a small world, I live in Bay City MI and know Joe Spencer, his sister is my x sister-in-law. He does make some incredible stuffed figures. How did you hear of him?

Jim: We are really kindred spirits.....we both made dolls in our past life (sorry, stuffed figures)! I love the witch on the cycle, using the pumpkin for a seat was genius. I think she is every bit as good as the other figures, great job on the face BTW! And your home is lovely. Maybe sometime you could do a tour for your fans. You are truly blessed.